Foldable shoe tree having means for engaging the heel of a shoe



y 1957 J. H. MYERS 2,799,032

FOLDABLE SHOE TREE HAVING MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE HEEL OF A SHOE Filed Oct. 29, 1952 INVENTOR John b. Myers Qowmagk ATTORNEY FOLDABLE SHOE TREE HAVING MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE HEEL OF A SHOE John H. Myers, St. Paul, Minn, assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application October 29, 1952,.Serial No. 317,432

1- Claim. (31. 12-128) This invention relates to an i rnprovement in shoe tree and deals particularly with a device useful in holdns a shoe improper shap and which can be quickly and easily produced.

It has long been recognized that shoes will retain their shape more effectively when shoe trees are placed therein. The more expensive shoes on the market are provided with shoe trees between the time they are produced and the time they are sold. However, in view of the cost of such shoe trees, it is impractical for less expensive shoes to be shipped in this manner.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a shoe tree which can be inexpensively produced and sold. These shoe trees are formed of paperboard or similar material and are die cut to the proper shape and size. When inserted in a shoe they tend to hold the instep of the shoe fully expanded to prevent a crease from forming at this point of the shoe. The shoe trees also tend to hold the sole of the shoe from curling upwardly during shipment and storage.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the shoe trees made in accordance with my invention are extremely light in weight and accordingly may be shipped economically. Shoe trees of more conventional types are made of wood and are relatively heavy, thereby adding considerably to the shipping weight of the shoes.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the fact that my shoe trees may be produced in various sizes and economically stored prior to use and may be economically shipped to the shoe factory or other user. When produced the shoe trees are flat and relatively thin and accordingly a considerable number of shoe trees may be contained in a small area.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that my shoe trees tend to conform to the shape of the shoe as they are inserted and thus are easier to insert than shoe trees of conventional types. When the flat body is inserted into the shoe the side edges of the fiat body tend to fold downwardly into engagement with the sole of the shoe, thus bending the body into a trough shaped or channel shaped form. While the paperboard in fiat form may be bent with comparative ease, the structure assumes considerable strength when bent into trough shaped formation, thereby withstanding the force which is placed upon them.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a shoe tree comprising a flat body of sheet material having a series of longitudinally extending score lines therein which assist the folding of the sheet into trough shaped form. These score lines tend to flex the fiat body in the desired direction rather than in a transverse direction and assist in forming the tree to the proper shape as it is inserted.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

V Figure l-is a plan view of the shoe tree in fiat formation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shoe tree as it would appear in use.

Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shoe tree showing the general construction thereof.

' Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the shoe tree in place within a shoe.

The shoe tree is indicated in general by the letter A andi's designed-for use in a shoe indicated in general by the. letter B. When formed, the shoetree is substantially flat and accordingly may be economically stored and shipped. I

The shoe tree A is formed of paperboard or similar material. The material most commonly employed comprises a laminated sheet of paperboard which may range from to A of an inch in thickness, although the board-need not necessarily come within these limits. The

body includes a rounded front end 10 which is curved at a radius greater than the usual radius of curvature of the toe portion of the shoe in which it is used. The curved forward end extends perhaps /3 of the total length of the shoe tree, the widest part of the shoe being indicated at 11 at a point spaced rearwardly from the curved forward end 10. From the widest point 11, the sides of the body curve inwardly as indicated at 12. The curved portions 12 preferably end in a notch 13 on each side of the body. An inwardly tapered handle portion 14 projects beyond the notches 13 in the preferred form of construction.

In order to simplify the forming of the body, I preferably provide longitudinally extending fold lines extending from the handle portion to the curved toe portion. In the particular embodiment illustrated, two fold lines 15 and 16 are spaced in opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the body and are substantially parallel. A second pair of fold lines 17 and 19 also extend from the handle portion 14 to the toe portion 10, these lines preferably diverging apart slightly from the handle portion toward the toe portion. Additional fold lines 20 and 21 may be provided in pairs outwardly of the fold lines 19 and 20. Due to the spacing between the fold lines certain of the outer fold lines 20 and 21 may not extend the full length of the body.

When it is desired to insert the shoe tree A into the shoe B, the flat body sheet is usually bent into channel form as indicated in Figures 2 and 3 so as to prebreak the various score lines and cause the shoe tree to fold more easily as it is inserted into the shoe. Ordinarily the body of the shoe tree remains slightly curved in section after the prebreaking operation. The toe end of the shoe tree is then inserted into the shoe and forced forwardly. The edges of the shoe tree adjoining the forward end thereof engage in the shoe at the juncture between the sole and the upper and tend to restrict the width of the shoe tree as it moves forwardly. This causes the center portion of the shoe tree to bow upwardly into channel form as illustrated. When bent in this manner the channel thus formed possesses considerable strength and resistance to folding transversely of the score lines.

When fully inserted the notches 13 engage the counter or back stay of the shoe above the heel, the notches preventing the shoe tree from sliding rearwardly out of position. One size of shoe tree will fit into more than one size of shoe in ordinary practice and still work effectively to hold the shoe in its proper shape.

It will be noted that the top of the shoe tree or the center portion thereof engages beneath the toe cap of the shoe and beneath the instep and hold this portion from creasing transversely. One of the main purposes of such an article is to prevent the sole from curving upwardly at the toe and creating an unsightly crease or wrinkle across the toe or instep, detracting from the appearance of the shoe when it is sold.

Obviously the shoe trees maybe removed for reuse. If the material of which the shoe trees are made is of durable material, the trees will last for an indefinite period. Thus they may be used by the ultimate consumer as well as by the manufacturer.

If the shoe trees are made of relatively thinner material, the score lines may be omitted, although they are extremely important when heavier material is employed. It is also possible to omit the handle portion of the shoe tree, although this handle portion makes the device much easier to insert and remove, particularly if the structure is to be reused.

In accordance with the patent statues, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my shoe tree, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desired to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

A shoe tree of foldable material, provided with a central longitudinal bowed portion so that the central portion extends against the top of the toe portion of the shoe and having side edges to engage the sides of the shoe and said shoe tree being provided on its lower part of its rear end portion with notch means to engage the upper rear end of the shoe to hold the shoe tree from sliding rearwardly therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,571 Lewis Nov. 22, 1904 1,023,395 Reinhardt Apr. 16, 1912 1,079,429 Niles Nov. 25, 1913 1,104,304 Legge July 21, 1914 1,757,478 Safir a May 6, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,470 Great Britain June 2, 1899 

